Bo knows hitting: Bichette dominating with bat for Lansing Lugnuts

Lansing Lugnuts shortstop Bo Bichette, who is the Midwest League's leading hitter, discusses his success prior to a recent game. Brian Calloway/Lansing State Journal
Brian Calloway/Lansing State Journal

Lansing Lugnuts 19-year old infielder Bo Bichette is leading the Midwest League in hitting at the all-star break.(Photo: Elizabeth Izzo)

He knows people will say and think what they want when they hear his last name and his father Dante, a former major league all-star, immediately comes to mind.

Bichette embraces those family baseball ties, which also includes having an older brother – Dante Jr. - in the New York Yankees' minor league system.

But he’s also proving he’s not just here because of his last name.

Bichette, who will represent the Lansing Lugnuts as the starting shortstop for the East in Tuesday’s Midwest League All-Star game in Midland, has made his name known with a dominant opening half of the season.

“For me it’s just playing my game and to make sure people know that I can play ball too, and I’m not just here because of my dad,” Bichette said. “For me it’s keep on playing my game and working hard. My results will do it for me.”

The results have spoken loudly for Bichette since he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round of the MLB draft last June out of high school.

The 19-year old Bichette owns a .396 batting average at the all-star break, which is 66 points higher than the next closest person – West Michigan’s Blaise Salter. Bichette also ranks among the Midwest League leaders with 28 doubles, seven homers and 45 RBI during what’s been a strong transition to his first year of playing a full season schedule in the minors.

Bo Bichette(Photo: Lansing Lugnuts)

Bichette - along with fellow teenage phenom and son of former major leaguer Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - have combined to give the Lugnuts one of the top offenses in the Midwest League during the first half.

“Vlad is very talented – obviously everyone knows that,” Bichette said. “He brings an energy to the team too. He’s really energetic and enthusiastic. I think that we probably push each other. We both want to be the best players we can be, so when we see each other succeeding, it makes us want to do even better. I think it’s really good for both of us.”

Bichette has done nothing but succeed since signing with the Blue Jays. His success this year follows a debut season where he hit .427 and drove in 36 runs during 22 games in rookie ball.

Bichette expected to build off that success this season and believes he’s been able to do so by staying aggressive and studying opposing pitchers and the philosophies different organizations have on the mound.

“I was doing well at the beginning of the year, but honestly I feel like it’s gotten a little bit easier as it’s gone on,” Bichette said. “Seeing pitchers for the second time, seeing teams for the second time – I’ve gotten more comfortable.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.